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IWS vs. VTI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IWS vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWS is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap Value Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWS returned 10.51%/yr vs 15.02%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWS charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

IWS vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWS achieves a 16.45% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 9.62% return. Over the past 10 years, IWS has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 10.51%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.02% annualized return.

IWS

1D
1.16%
1M
4.03%
YTD
16.45%
6M
15.28%
1Y
27.58%
3Y*
16.65%
5Y*
8.67%
10Y*
10.51%

VTI

1D
0.57%
1M
0.45%
YTD
9.62%
6M
9.69%
1Y
24.78%
3Y*
20.60%
5Y*
12.20%
10Y*
15.02%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IWS vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IWS
iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF		16.45%10.82%12.91%12.52%-12.29%28.10%4.83%26.73%-12.43%13.14%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		9.62%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-5.23%21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between IWS and VTI is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.77

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.81

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.87

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.87

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2001

0.91

The correlation between IWS and VTI shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.91 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IWS vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IWS
VTI

Technology

18.2%
33.5%

Industrials

16.5%
9.8%

Financial Services

13.7%
12.0%

Consumer Cyclical

8.4%
10.0%

Real Estate

8.2%
2.4%

Energy

7.7%
3.7%

Healthcare

7.5%
9.2%

Utilities

6.5%
2.3%

Basic Materials

5.4%
2.0%

Consumer Defensive

4.8%
4.7%

Communication Services

3.0%
10.3%

Technology

IWS
18.2%
VTI
33.5%

Industrials

IWS
16.5%
VTI
9.8%

Financial Services

IWS
13.7%
VTI
12.0%

Consumer Cyclical

IWS
8.4%
VTI
10.0%

Real Estate

IWS
8.2%
VTI
2.4%

Energy

IWS
7.7%
VTI
3.7%

Healthcare

IWS
7.5%
VTI
9.2%

Utilities

IWS
6.5%
VTI
2.3%

Basic Materials

IWS
5.4%
VTI
2.0%

Consumer Defensive

IWS
4.8%
VTI
4.7%

Communication Services

IWS
3.0%
VTI
10.3%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Often compared with IWS:
IWS vs. IWPIWS vs. IWNIWS vs. IMCVIWS vs. IWDIWS vs. FIMVXIWS vs. IVVIWS vs. VBR
Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

IWS vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IWS
IWS Risk / Return Rank: 7676
Overall Rank
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7373
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 8181
Martin Ratio Rank
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IWS vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

IWSVTIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.05
1.97

+0.08

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.91
2.67

+0.24

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.36

1.35

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.68

2.79

+0.89

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.82

12.52

+1.30

IWS vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWS Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWS and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IWS vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWS drawdown since its inception was -62.40%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWS and VTI.

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Drawdown Indicators

IWSVTIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-62.40%

-55.45%

-6.95%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.53%

-8.92%

+1.39%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.57%

-19.30%

-1.27%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.23%

-25.36%

+4.13%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-43.83%

-35.00%

-8.83%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-2.14%

+2.14%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.01%

-8.02%

+0.01%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.00%

1.99%

+0.01%

Volatility

IWS vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 4.29% and 4.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IWSVTIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.29%

4.50%

-0.21%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.97%

9.82%

+0.15%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.53%

12.64%

+0.89%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.36%

17.47%

-0.11%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.37%

18.33%

+1.04%

IWS vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWS has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IWS vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

IWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, more than VTI's 1.03% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IWS
iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF		1.32%1.53%1.50%1.76%1.93%1.39%1.87%1.97%2.53%1.96%2.10%2.14%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.03%1.12%1.27%1.44%1.66%1.21%1.42%1.78%2.04%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

IWS and VTI have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VTI has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to IWS (4.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWS dropped -62.40% vs VTI's -55.45%.

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.02% vs 10.51% for IWS. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IWS has been the lower-risk option at 4.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.02% return vs 10.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for IWS.

IWS has the higher dividend yield at 1.32%, compared with 1.03% for VTI.

IWS is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. IWS tracks Russell Midcap Value Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for IWS and 0.03% for VTI.

IWS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.97), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

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